Timmins' top news stories of 2022

From the first Sikh temple in the city, to the opioid crisis to major political changes, CTV News Northern Ontario takes a look back at last year in Timmins.

The year 2022 has come to a close in the city, some of the biggest news stories are the ones that show how the political, cultural and social landscapes underwent big shifts in the area, the kind of changes that will evolve the city and its people.

For one, a former bar, Gibby's Tavern, was made into the city's first Gurdwara, a place of worship and refuge for the growing Sikh community in Timmins. The Gurdwara welcomes everyone.

“I’ve been talking to the girls and the boys here and my heart just cries when I listen to their stories or their issues,” said Kanwaljit Kaur Bains, a member of the city’s Sikh Sangat.

“It’s just too much but I’m so happy to be here where they can put their head on my shoulder."

Anyone who uses illicit opioids is also welcome at the Safe Health Site Timmins (SHST).

The temporary, municipal-funded, supervised overdose prevention location opened in July. Its clients can also access basic medical care and receive referrals to treatment services. So far, it's had more then 1,300 visits.

“It’s not going to bring the number of overdose deaths to zero but it does definitely provide a service,” said Patrick Nowak, nursing manager of addictions at the Timmins and District Hospital, which oversees the SHST.

“I mean this is a small part in much larger need,"

Gilles Bisson spent more than three decades as a member of provincial parliament for the Timmins riding. During the last provincial election, he was unseated by former Timmins mayor George Pirie.

“The people of Timmins made a decision and in a democracy that’s never wrong," said Bisson.

Voters made a leap from the left to the right by electing a Progressive Conservative Party candidate over the New Democratic incumbent. Ontario Premier Doug Ford rewarded Pirie's success by appointing him the Minister of Mines and announced the return of the Northlander Passenger Rail Service.

“The purchase has just been announced so it’s going to take about four years to manufacture it and get it done," said Pirie.

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A new permanent service for the city's younger population opened in October in the downtown. The Timmins Youth Wellness Hub is a safe space for young persons between the ages of 12-25.

“And it’s little things that we kind of take for granted at times in our day to day lives that might not be available for anyone or to have a safe space to be able to take a quiet moment and make a sandwich," said Catharine Lockheart, a well-being coordinator with the hub.

“It’s a big deal for some people.”

Another big deal this year was Michelle Boileau becoming the city's second female mayor. The former councillor is also the first Francophone mayor in recent decades. She and the new council will be some of the city's newsmakers in 2023.

These were just some of the stories that made headlines in Timmins in 2022.